Abstract: A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque-transmitting devices. Further, a hydraulic fluid control circuit is provided for controlling the operation of the plurality of torque-transmitting devices. The hydraulic fluid control circuit receives pressurized hydraulic fluid from an off-axis hydraulic fluid pump and has a plurality of fluid passages disposed in the transmission house, input member and other coupling members.

Abstract: A low mass, two piece planetary gear carrier having an integrated clutch housing comprises a first carrier flange and clutch housing and a second carrier flange which are secured together by a plurality of threaded fasteners extending through hollow dowels. A plurality of planet gears receive needle bearing assemblies which are, in turn, supported on pins or stub shafts. The stub shafts are retained in the carrier by transverse retaining pins received in the second carrier flange and extending into the shafts. Unitized washers are disposed between both faces of the planet gears and the flanges. The method of assembly is also a feature of the present invention.

Abstract: A gear retention assembly for retaining a gear that has a plurality of gear outer splines includes a gear housing and a retaining ring. The gear housing has a first end, a second end, and a plurality of inner splines each including a ramp portion. The second end of the gear housing includes an annular continuous rolled lip, where the continuous rolled lip and the ramp portions of the plurality of inner splines define a groove. The plurality of inner splines engage with the gear outer splines of the gear to transmit torque between the gear and the gear housing. The retaining ring is disposed in the groove and axially retains the gear. The rolled lip axially retains the retaining ring.

Abstract: Two embodiments of an improved connection between an engine output shaft and a transmission input shaft reduce or eliminate axial shaft loading and spin losses. In a first embodiment, the transmission input shaft includes an annular flange which is received within a slightly larger annulus or a plurality of axially extending tabs from the engine flex plate. After the transmission and engine are assembled, a plurality of fasteners are installed in radial openings in the flex plate annulus or tabs and extend into threaded openings in the annular flange. Since the output and input shafts are connected after the engine and transmission are assembled there is essentially no deflection of the flex plate, no axial loads on the shafts and no spin losses. In a second embodiment, a plurality of axially oriented threaded fasteners extend through openings in the flex plate and are received within nuts in a transmission drive plate. The nuts include eccentric flanges and are retained in the drive plate by snap rings.

Abstract: A planetary gear set for a transmission, the planetary gear set having a sun gear, a ring gear and a carrier assembly. The carrier assembly includes an annular first carrier member, at least one pinion pin, and at least one planet gear assembly. The first carrier member has at least one radial groove connecting a step surface to an inner surface of a pinion pin bore. A pinion pin has a bearing surface and a bore. The bore has a first and a second open end, the first open end in communication with the bearing surface the second open end in communication with the radial groove of the carrier member.

Abstract: A planetary gear assembly having improved planet gear lubrication includes a thrust bearing assembly mounted to the planet gear carrier which provides a friction reducing interface between the carrier and a hub or stationary transmission member. A lubrication dam located radially outwardly of the thrust bearing assembly collects transmission fluid (oil) that has been supplied through a centrally disposed shaft and driven to and past the thrust bearing and into the dam by centrifugal force. Transmission fluid collecting within the dam and between the thrust bearing assembly and the planet gear carrier generates a biasing force which drives the thrust bearing assembly away from the planet gear carrier, thereby ensuring that the bearing position is not indeterminate and positively locating the thrust bearing assembly and providing an annular flow path for the transmission fluid which is then directed into a plurality of axial passageways in stub shafts which support the planet gears.

Abstract: A planetary gear assembly having improved planet gear lubrication includes a thrust bearing assembly mounted to the planet gear carrier which provides a friction reducing interface between the carrier and a hub or stationary transmission member. A lubrication dam located radially outwardly of the thrust bearing assembly collects transmission fluid (oil) that has been supplied through a centrally disposed shaft and driven to and past the thrust bearing and into the dam by centrifugal force. Transmission fluid collecting within the dam and between the thrust bearing assembly and the planet gear carrier generates a biasing force which drives the thrust bearing assembly away from the planet gear carrier, thereby ensuring that the bearing position is not indeterminate and positively locating the thrust bearing assembly and providing an annular flow path for the transmission fluid which is then directed into a plurality of axial passageways in stub shafts which support the planet gears.

Abstract: A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque-transmitting devices. Further, a hydraulic fluid control circuit is provided for controlling the operation of the plurality of torque-transmitting devices. The hydraulic fluid control circuit receives pressurized hydraulic fluid from an off-axis hydraulic fluid pump and has a plurality of fluid passages disposed in the transmission house, input member and other coupling members.

Abstract: A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque-transmitting devices. Further, a hydraulic fluid control circuit is provided for controlling the operation of the plurality of torque-transmitting devices. The hydraulic fluid control circuit receives pressurized hydraulic fluid from an off-axis hydraulic fluid pump and has a plurality of fluid passages disposed in the transmission house, input member and other coupling members.

Abstract: A shaft retainer for a planet gear carrier of a planetary gear assembly both retains the pinion shafts within the carrier and maintains their angular orientation to achieve improved oil flow to the pinion bearings. Each of the pinion shafts includes an opening and an axial passageway that communicates with a radial passageway at the middle of the shaft. At the end of the pinion shaft opposite the axial passageway opening is a flat extending across the shaft. The flat is normal to the axis of the radial passageway. The pinion shafts are slip fit into suitable bores in the planetary gear carrier and support a needle bearing and planet or pinion gear. At one end of the carrier, the flats are engaged by a circular retainer so that the radial passageways of each of the pinion shafts are oriented radially outwardly. The circular retainer may either be a flat circular plate or have an L-shaped cross-section.

Abstract: The pinion gear assembly thus includes a first and a second pinion gear arranged with generally parallel axes of rotation. A first and a second washer, referred to herein as stationary washers, are provided. Each of the washers has two openings spaced to generally align with two predetermined, spaced mounting locations on the planet carrier member. The first and the second washers are positioned on opposing sides of the first and second pinion gears, with the axes of rotation of the first and second pinion gears generally centered at the respective spaced openings of the washers. Because the stationary washer spans the two pinion gears, which are secured to the carrier member, the stationary member is operatively connected at two locations to the carrier member, eliminating the need for anti-rotation features and corresponding carrier features.

Abstract: A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque-transmitting devices. Further, a hydraulic fluid control circuit is provided for controlling the operation of the plurality of torque-transmitting devices. The hydraulic fluid control circuit receives pressurized hydraulic fluid from an off-axis hydraulic fluid pump and has a plurality of fluid passages disposed in the transmission house, input member and other coupling members.

Abstract: A planetary gear set for a transmission, the planetary gear set having a sun gear, a ring gear and a carrier assembly. The carrier assembly includes an annular first carrier member, at least one pinion pin, and at least one planet gear assembly. The first carrier member has at least one radial groove connecting a step surface to an inner surface of a pinion pin bore. A pinion pin has a bearing surface and a bore. The bore has a first and a second open end, the first open end in communication with the bearing surface the second open end in communication with the radial groove of the carrier member.

Abstract: A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque-transmitting devices. Further, a hydraulic fluid control circuit is provided for controlling the operation of the plurality of torque-transmitting devices. The hydraulic fluid control circuit receives pressurized hydraulic fluid from an off-axis hydraulic fluid pump and has a plurality of fluid passages disposed in the transmission house, input member and other coupling members.

Abstract: Two embodiments of an improved connection between an engine output shaft and a transmission input shaft reduce or eliminate axial shaft loading and spin losses. In a first embodiment, the transmission input shaft includes an annular flange which is received within a slightly larger annulus or a plurality of axially extending tabs from the engine flex plate. After the transmission and engine are assembled, a plurality of fasteners are installed in radial openings in the flex plate annulus or tabs and extend into threaded openings in the annular flange. Since the output and input shafts are connected after the engine and transmission are assembled there is essentially no deflection of the flex plate, no axial loads on the shafts and no spin losses. In a second embodiment, a plurality of axially oriented threaded fasteners extend through openings in the flex plate and are received within nuts in a transmission drive plate. The nuts include eccentric flanges and are retained in the drive plate by snap rings.

Abstract: A gear retention assembly for retaining a gear that has a plurality of gear outer splines includes a gear housing and a retaining ring. The gear housing has a first end, a second end, and a plurality of inner splines each including a ramp portion. The second end of the gear housing includes an annular continuous rolled lip, where the continuous rolled lip and the ramp portions of the plurality of inner splines define a groove. The plurality of inner splines engage with the gear outer splines of the gear to transmit torque between the gear and the gear housing. The retaining ring is disposed in the groove and axially retains the gear. The rolled lip axially retains the retaining ring.

Abstract: A planetary carrier assembly for a transmission includes a first carrier portion and a second carrier portion. The first carrier portion includes a spider flange portion and at least one first carrier arm half extending along the longitudinal axis. The second carrier portion includes a park gear flange and at least one second carrier arm half extending along the longitudinal axis into abutting engagement with the at least one first carrier arm half. The first carrier arm halves and the second carrier arm halves are welded together at an approximate midsection along the longitudinal axis between the spider flange portion and the park gear flange portion to minimize internal stresses within the output shaft assembly.

Abstract: The pinion gear assembly thus includes a first and a second pinion gear arranged with generally parallel axes of rotation. A first and a second washer, referred to herein as stationary washers, are provided. Each of the washers has two openings spaced to generally align with two predetermined, spaced mounting locations on the planet carrier member. The first and the second washers are positioned on opposing sides of the first and second pinion gears, with the axes of rotation of the first and second pinion gears generally centered at the respective spaced openings of the washers. Because the stationary washer spans the two pinion gears, which are secured to the carrier member, the stationary member is operatively connected at two locations to the carrier member, eliminating the need for anti-rotation features and corresponding carrier features.

Abstract: A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque-transmitting devices. Further, a hydraulic fluid control circuit is provided for controlling the operation of the plurality of torque-transmitting devices. The hydraulic fluid control circuit receives pressurized hydraulic fluid from an off-axis hydraulic fluid pump and has a plurality of fluid passages disposed in the transmission house, input member and other coupling members.

Abstract: A shaft retainer for a planet gear carrier of a planetary gear assembly both retains the pinion shafts within the carrier and maintains their angular orientation to achieve improved oil flow to the pinion bearings. Each of the pinion shafts includes an opening and an axial passageway that communicates with a radial passageway at the middle of the shaft. At the end of the pinion shaft opposite the axial passageway opening is a flat extending across the shaft. The flat is normal to the axis of the radial passageway. The pinion shafts are slip fit into suitable bores in the planetary gear carrier and support a needle bearing and planet or pinion gear. At one end of the carrier, the flats are engaged by a circular retainer so that the radial passageways of each of the pinion shafts are oriented radially outwardly. The circular retainer may either be a flat circular plate or have an L-shaped cross-section.